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Pequot Library, 720 Pequot Ave. in the Southport section of Fairfield. Saturday, Feb. 9, 2 p.m. Free for families; adults without children are asked to make a donation. No ticket required. 203-938-3843; www.musicforyouth.net.

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Adults sometimes do more harm than good bringing their youngsters to classical musical events that are too high-brow -- and too long.

But one Westport-based organization works to change that situation, designing classical concerts especially for 5 to 18 year olds (and they can bring along their parents, too).

At 50 minutes, the concerts are just the right length for students, said Cummiskey, a professional pianist and teacher.

"Instead of going to New York, families can enjoy internationally renowned artists here -- even the parking is free. It's one of the region's greatest entertainment bargains. It's unique in the tri-state area."

Although the concerts are open to everyone, adults without children are asked to make a donation to the organization. Families are free.

On Saturday, Feb. 9, the world of opera will be explored with the renowned tenor Alek Shrader as guide. He plans to perform a variety of songs and arias in Italian, French and English.

This is the second concert in Music for Youth's spring season. Operated for the most part by volunteers (mostly professional musicians), the organization was established in 1995 (incorporated as a nonprofit in 2002) with the "goal and passion of bringing classical music, professionally performed, into the lives of young people in Fairfield County" in order "to foster love and knowledge" of the art form, according to the group's mission statement. The group's founder and leading light was Marianne Liberatore, who died last year.

To help provide enriching musical experiences for a cross-section of children, the group also offers musical residency programs in Bridgeport and sponsors scholarship programs.

Other concerts in Music for Youth's 2013 Spring Season are the American Brass Quintet on Saturday, March 16, and pianist Alex Moutouzkine on Saturday, April 20, each at 2 p.m.

During the 2012-13 season, he sang two roles at New York's Metropolitan Opera: Ferdinand in Thomas Ades' "The Tempest" and Almaviva in Rossini's "The Barber of Seville." This season, he has appeared at the Staatsoper in Hamburg, Germany, and is on a recital tour throughout the United States.

Pequot Library, 720 Pequot Ave. in the Southport section of Fairfield. Saturday, Feb. 9, 2 p.m. Free for families; adults without children are asked to make a donation. No ticket required. 203-938-3843; www.musicforyouth.net.